Nadine J Walters – My Life

Question for myself: What does it feel like to be almost 72 years old?

Answer:
Being my age has its ups and downs. Some days, those ups and downs are mental; other days, they’re physical. But the most interesting part is that, inside, I still feel the same as I did in my teens, twenties, thirties… that core version of me hasn’t really changed.

I had a bad night’s sleep and woke up very early this morning. It got me thinking—why couldn’t I sleep? Was it something physical, or was my mind just too busy? I think it was mostly mental. Sure, there were some physical factors: I had bread after dinner, and maybe that second glass of wine didn’t help. But mostly, my mind was spinning.

I’ve been reading The Women by Kristin Hannah, set during the Vietnam War era. The events and attitudes of that time hit home for me: the lack of equality, the war, the unnecessary death. Reading it stirred up memories of a time I lived through, memories that echo what’s happening in the world now. That may have been what unsettled me last night—but that’s not what I want to focus on today.

This morning, I found myself reflecting on how each decade of my life has shaped me.

As a child, I ran free—no cell phones, no GPS, no hovering. I built forts, played Cowboys and Indians, rode bikes, lived outside all day long. It was the 1950s and early ’60s: a time of innocence, adventure, and endless days with friends.

In my teens, I leaned into the peace and love era. I had a bit of a hippie streak, lived for concerts and rock and roll, and hung out with friends. School was secondary. I think about some of the things we did back then—the risks we took—and I still won’t share most of them with my kids! That was the late ’60s and early ’70s.

My late teens and twenties ushered in adulthood. I went to college, moved to southern Utah, and became very outdoorsy. Hiking and camping were a way of life. Then came marriage, a house, and eventually parenthood. The ’70s and ’80s gave me big hair, shoulder pads, and a strong sense of independence.

The ’90s were all about parenting. We had so much fun with those little guys. I was always tired, but somehow had boundless energy to keep up. What I remember most fondly was the structure—work, daycare, naps, weekend outings. Predictable, yes, but also vibrant and busy. We watched Sesame Street, Barney, and Mr. Rogers as a family. On Friday nights, I got my own moment of calm with Dallas or Miami Vice. No streaming back then!

By the time the 2000s rolled around, our kids were growing up. I went back to school, made a career change, and got even busier. We lived in carpools, sports fields, and McDonald’s drive-thrus. Cell phones became part of daily life. When the kids were 14, each got their own phone—a game changer. Eventually, my oldest started driving, and summers became a patchwork of tennis lessons and activities… some of which I only found out about when the bills arrived. But honestly, I had to laugh. At least they were out doing something good.

Whew. I haven’t even made it to my 50s and I already feel like I need a nap! Of course, I didn’t cover everything, just a few quick memories. There is so much that shaped me as a person and even this quick detour down memory lane feels meaningful.

And you know what else? It feels pretty good to be almost 72.